This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Slideshow
Top 10 alternative afternoon teas
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, db has rounded up a selection of out-of-the-ordinary afternoon teas in London that rip up the rulebook on what constitutes a classic English tea.
Afternoon tea is a typically English tradition which evolved in the early 1840s, gaining popularity throughout the early nineteenth century.
Its origins are said to be linked to the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who apparently once complained of having a “sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. At the time it was normal for people to eat just two meals a day; breakfast and dinner. The Duchess’ solution was to have a pot a tea and a light snack, taken privately, during the afternoon.
Later she invited friends to join her who became so taken with the practice that they too began to host their own afternoon teas. It was not long until all of high-society were hooked on taking tea.
Traditionally “afternoon tea” is served around 4pm for the high classes, with a more substantial “high tea” served at 5 or 6pm, intended for the middle and lower classes.
However this selection of afternoon teas are far from conventional. Forget finger sandwiches earl grey, think burgers, cocktails and rock n’ roll.
Scroll through for a taste of London’s most unusual afternoon tea offerings…
Brgr.co
Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea at The Sanderson
The Sanderson Hotel invites you to “tumble down the rabbit hole” with their imaginative afternoon tea based on the Lewis Carrol classic Alice in Wonderland. Created in partnership with design collective Luna & Curious, who crafted bespoke crockery for the service, menus are hidden inside vintage books and napkins wrapped with riddles. It includes the obligatory dainty sandwiches and home baked savoury and sweet scones to “strawberries and cream” marshmallow mushrooms and a “Tick Tock” Victoria sponge clock and “Jelly Wonderland”, presented on a cake trolley.
On mother’s day, the made hatter’s afternoon tea will be served with a mocktail (£48) or glass of pink Champagne (£58)
50 Berners Street, London W1T 3NG
Click for Clicquot afternoon tea at the St Pancras Hotel
Veuve Clicquot has partnered with the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel to offer a Champagne Afternoon Tea for Mothers’ Day, complete with rosé and a selection of scones and sandwiches served, via its Click for Clicquot App. The Champagne house’s new gifting app allows you to gift Veuve Clicquot in London’s hottest hotels, bars and restaurants at the touch of a button. Simply purchase the experience through the app and fortunate mums will automatically receive a text message alerting them to the unique gift. Afternoon tea is served in the Hansom Lounge with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé at £50 per person. The app is available to download from the iTunes store via http://bit.ly/ClickForClicquot
Euston Road, London NW1 2AR
Wellness afternoon tea, The Magazine restaurant at the Serpentine Gallery
For those feeling more virtuous than gluttonous try The Magazine Restaurant’s Wellness Afternoon Tea. Bites include decadant delights such as beef Angus tartare and buttermilk, chilled celeriac and black truffle royal, goji berry scones and fat free yoghurt and passion fruit meringue. Wash it all down with a spinach, cucumber and granny smith apple detox smoothie or selection of fruit teas, all for £17.50 per person, or add a sake-tini skinny cocktail or glass of Champagne for £27.50.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea at One Aldwych
First launched to celebrate the hotel’s partnership with the West End musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, One Aldwych’s “scrumdiddlyumptious afternoon tea” is a dream for those with a fierce sweet-tooth. From decadent golden eggs to blueberry brioche and flavoured candy floss, the spread is inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic tale and accompanied by a selection of loose leaf teas and infusions from Covent Garden’s Tea Palace. Afternoon tea with a glass of Lallier Grande Réserve Champagne or a smoking Cocktail Charlie is £45 per person.
One Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BZ
Tipsy Tea at Mr Fogg’s
Promising an “elegant” array of sandwiches, cakes, pastries and petit-fours” alongside an “intriguing selection of alcoholic teas”, Mr Fogg’s Tipsy Tea is certainly unique. For those who prefer their tea to be laced with gin or fizz this is the place to go. Its Tipsy Tea comes with a single pot of either gin tea or champagne tea, with an option on making it “bottomless”, albeit it with a two hour drinking limit. Its 1840 Earl Grey is infused with Tanqueray No.TEN gin and steeped in a teapot with Cointreau, crème de pêche and orange marmalade. While its Anna Maria Russell comprises Tatratea liqueur with sloe gin and lemon bitters, topped with Ruinart champagne.
15 Bruton Lane, London W1J 6JD
Gents’ afternoon tea at Sanctum Soho Hotel
For tea-minded gents out there Soho’s Sanctum Hotel in hosting an afternoon tea just for you, complete with a tankard of Gentlemen’s Jack whiskey and cigar session on its roof terrace. Bites include poached oysters with bloody mary relish, seared steak on sourdough bread and a rabbit, pancetta and leek pasty, plus teal and coffee and twice baked chocolate fudge cake with Jack Daniel’s ice cream, all for £50 per person.
20 Warwick Street, London. W1B 5NF
Prêt- á-Portea afternoon tea
Calling all fashionistas – this one’s for you. The Berkley in Knightsbrige is offering an afternoon tea with a high fashion twist, transforming every six months to reflect the changing trends on the catwalk. The current collection pays homage to the 40th anniversary of Diane Von Furstenberg’s wrap dress through a golden gingerbread biscuit. The high-fashion-inspired selection includes miniature savoury skewers, taster spoons, canapés, sandwiches and a glass of Laurent-Perrier for £52 per person.
Wilton Place, The Berkeley, London, SW1X 7RL
BB Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Experience a classic english afternoon tea from the comfort of a London routemaster bus while taking in the sights of the city.
This vintage London bus will drive around Central London, taking in some of the City’s best sights, whilst you can indulge in the fabulous BB Afternoon tea.
Capture the heart of the city’s culture. landmarks and history on our London Routemaster bus, whilst sipping on a lovely cup of tea and enjoying the exquisite tastes of France. High tea accompanied with an array of tasty sandwiches and delicious cakes and pastries. Your uniformed London bus driver will take you round The London Eye, Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, The Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column, Downing Street and more.
The Route…
Tours depart from 8 Northumberland Avenue, off Trafalgar Square WC2N 5BY, at 12.30pm and 3pm.
Rock n Roll Cocktails Midnight Tea at K West Hotel and Spa
Rock ‘N’ Cocktails Midnight Tea will be Available from 10pm-1am as well as 2-6 pm
Traditional Afternoon Tea has been given a glam-rock makeover at K West Hotel in Shepherds Bush. Guests can swap traditional hot drinks for tea-infused cocktails, and even enjoy the treat late at night like a true rockstar from 10pm-1am. Who doesn’t love cocktails and cake at midnight?
Formerly the BBC Building Kensington House in the 60s, an endless list of Rock ‘N’ Roll royalty has stayed, played and misbehaved at K West – Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bowie, The Kinks and Roxy Music to name a few.
Priced at £22.50 and served from 2-6pm in the newly launched Studio Bar & Kitchen, The Glam Rock Afternoon Tea will pay tribute to the hotel’s music heritage in a playful, fun and stylish way. The tea will be served on vintage record covers, with electric blue and pink teapots and teacups, adding some glam to the rock.
A Glam Rock Prosecco Afternoon Tea is available for £29.50, and the ‘Rock ‘N’ Cocktails Midnight Tea is priced at £32.50. This cocktail tea will include a selection of five shots of cocktails, or one cocktail each. All tipples will be made using different flavours of fruit tea, such as ‘Lemon Lennon’ with Citrus vodka, limoncello, lemon tea, lime, soda water and lemonade; or ‘Elder vs Flower’ with Hendrick’s gin, mandarin vodka, elderflower tea, fresh lime and lemonade.
All of the Rock Tea’s will include fresh ‘rolling scones’ with clotted cream & strawberry compote, as well as a selection of delectable cakes decorated with edible music notes, Mini gooey chocolate brownies; Lemon tarts; Almond & orange cake; a selection of Macaroons and White Chocolate Ganache Lollipops spiked with popping candy.
A selection of delicious finger sandwiches is also included, such as Scottish salmon and cream cheese on rye bread; British ham and old school piccalilli on white seeded bread; and Coronation chicken on fruit & nut bread.
The Glam Rock Afternoon Teas will be served in the newly refurbished Studio Bar & Kitchen, which has also been designed to reflect the hotel’s rich music heritage.
K West Hotel & Spa, Richmond Way, London W14 0AX